Tea Party holds rally in Penn Yan

PENN YAN—The Finger Lakes Tea Party Patriots held a rally, Friday, April 15, as a reminder to the newly elected representatives, and all government representatives, that there could be a repeat of the November 2010, election.The second annual rally attracted about 45 people, some from as far way as Odessa, Corning and Naples. Beth Powers, creator of the Liberty Bus, and Peter Haidt, radio personality, were the guest speakers. Topics covered government shutdown, the budget, healthcare and the role of the government. Haidt said Tea Party members will be looking at what cuts the 93 newly elected Republicans make to the budget.“Make the cuts we want to make or we will cut you from the team,” he said.Haidt added the money the government is spending is our money. He said the public is told money is spent on programs the government says we want, like healthcare and the stimulus program. Haidt also said there is too much focus by politicians on political gain over “We the people.”Powers talked about the role of the government. She said the housing bubble still exists, the derivative market is still unregulated, the U.S. dollar value is low, and U.S. debt is financed by foreign countries. Powers said the country believes the government is the solution to problems. However, she countered that the government should just protect the people and leave programs and projects to private agencies.For example, Powers said organizations like the Moose Club ran orphanages. She said groups like that formed to offer assistance and be neighbors. She added people need to be involved.“We the people are the only salvation to our crisis,” Powers said, adding people must engage locally.